The final iteration of Renault Sport’s hot-hatch has arrived in New Zealand – the ultra-exclusive, limited-edition Megane R.S. Ultime.

Renault Sport was founded in 1976 and, as such, the production of this R.S. Ultime is limited to 1,976 units worldwide, of which just 8 are coming to New Zealand. DriveLife reviewed the Megane R.S. Trophy 300 back in September 2021, and we loved it.

Scott Kelsey, General Manager of Renault New Zealand, commented, “The Megane R.S. Ultime represents the culmination of a long and storied history of Renault hot hatches. Renault set the blueprint for what a hot hatch should be and has consistently delivered on that blueprint for almost 50 years: nimble, lightweight, highly-tuned engine, and a chassis set-up designed for the most challenging of roads. This final edition Megane R.S. Ultime is the ultimate expression of the genre and a fitting way to bow out.”

Renault Megane R.S. Ultime – Features

Available with a 6sp EDC automatic, the R.S. Ultime is distinguished by the following highlights:

  • Black 19” Fuji Lightweight alloy wheels
  • Hi-performance Bridgestone S007 tyres
  • Recaro® front bucket seats
  • BOSE® audio system with 9x speakers, subwoofer and digital amplifier
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Active Emergency Braking System (AEBS) – low speed
  • Forward Collision Warning system (FCW)
  • Unique exterior decals
  • Three paint colours: Liquid Yellow, Diamond Black, Pearl White
  • Blacked out Renault logos
  • Unique numbered interior build plate
MEGANE R.S. ULTIME – NUMBERED PLATE

Renault Megane R.S. Ultime – Powertrain

Powered by a turbocharged 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, the Megane R.S. Ultime delivers 221kW at 6,000rpm and 420Nm at 3,200rpm.

Delivering this power through the front wheels – complete with mechanical Torsen limited slip differential – will see the R.S. Ultime hit 100km/h in 5.7 seconds. Renault says driver engagement is further boosted with Renault Sport’s unique Cup chassis, 4CONTROL four-wheel steering, launch control, active valve exhaust system and Brembo bi-material high performance brakes.

Renault Megane R.S. Ultime – Interior

Inside, Recaro front sports seats, paddle shifters for the gearchanges and R.S. Drive mode assist the driver in connecting to the drive experience, while the signature of Renault Sport test driver Laurent Hurgon and the vehicle’s production number remind you of the car’s exclusivity.

Externally, a choice of colours, race-inspired decals, blacked out styling and Ultime badging all sit naturally with the F1-derived styling cues, ensuring this final run of Megane R.S. Ultime model looks the goods.

RECARO MONOGRAMMED SEAT

Renault Megane R.S. Ultime – Price

The Megane R.S. Ultime is priced from $79,990 plus on road costs.

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Fred Alvrez
How on earth to start this? I've been car/bike/truck crazy since I was a teen. Like John, I had the obligatory Countach poster on the wall. I guess I'm more officially into classic and muscle cars than anything else - I currently have a '65 Sunbeam Tiger that left the factory the same day as I left the hospital as a newborn with my mother. How could I not buy that car? In 2016 my wife and I drove across the USA in a brand-new Dodge Challenger, and then shipped it home. We did this again in 2019 in a 1990 Chev Corvette - you can read about that trip on DriveLife, and again in 2023 buying a C5 Corvette and shipping it home. I'm a driving instructor and an Observer for the Institute of Advanced Motorists - trying to do my bit to make our roads safer.

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